Sunshine and Bagels -- The Little Miss Thinks

Yes, I blog to keep my friends and family updated about my whereabouts. And yes, I blog for fun. And yes, I blog to rant and share a peace of myself in written form. But I also blog because I follow other bloggers and I'm inspired by their passions and their thoughts and their experiences. And because they inspire me to challenge traditional modes of thinking. And because they introduce me to opportunities I haven't heard of, adventures I haven't attempted, and places I haven't explored. And sometimes because it's plain interesting and fun to hear about the lives and passions and adventures of other people :) The following blogger is someone I only recently began reading, but I'm really inspired and so, I thought I would share. http://perpetualmotionofsearch.wordpress.com/ Random note: I was randomly reading comments and somehow I ended up going to another blogger's site and then I found out that the blogger whose link I pasted above is a UC Berkeley...

Today is officially the last day here at Yonsei and in Seoul for many people. Move-out day is tomorrow at 11am. People are packing and saying goodbyes, and it's so bittersweet. I had my last day of Korean class today -- it felt surreal. Like graduation but not... I think because I'm not leaving tomorrow, I don't feel as sad... But a lot of people I do know are leaving... sad times. Among the people who made my experience here... I would definitely include my Korean language teacher, Park 선생님... Even though she made fun of me a lot, I feel like she definitely cared about us and wanted us to learn and was excited to teach us. I'll definitely miss her... I'll also miss Megan :( I almost cried hugging her. The good news is Megan's aunt and uncle live in Berkeley and Megan is from Sacramento, so it's not that far... but still :( I think I'm going to make a tag "People I'll Miss" haha, so I can reflect and remember. ___ In other news, ...

I could go on a tangent about beauty standards in Korea... but I won't. My goal is to review the beauty products that I have bought and tried here in Korea. In case you've ever visited Korea or ever plan to visit Korea, one of the first things you will notice is the overabundance of makeup stores -- Etude House, Nature Republic, TheFaceShop, Innisfree, Missha, Saem, It's Skin, Hanskin, Aritaum... the list goes on. Most of these stores are easily seen in shopping areas, university areas, and subway stations. In many locations, 2 or more of the same branches can be found within a 1/2 radius... I kid you not. Anyways, my point is that with such an abundance of stores and beauty products, it can be difficult to decide what products are worth it... and which aren't. The below reviews are solely my own opinion and derive from my personal experience with said products, so take from it what you will. *** First off, I'm actually going to review a U.S. product I purc...

I think it's unnecessary to say this, since you may have already noticed... but I am incredibly slow... and infrequent with my posts. In any case, first off. I'm doing good, so no worries :) I've had many adventures since I last posted though I am horrible at updating them. *** So... in case you didn't know... I'm not extending. I was debating the question for a while and ultimately I was waiting and debating and searching. But yeah, coming back to the States in mid-January. At the current time, I can't say which date. I'm working out plans for traveling and although my original plan was to come back on January 12th and give myself some break time before class (lecture starts on the 18th).... my plan now is to come back on the 20th... and basically miss the first week of class. Why? My roommate Neha invited me to Nepal and her close friend is getting married. The marriage ceremony will be taking place from the 17th-19th... and honestly I want to go...

I wanted to add some funny or inspirational quote or image. I have nothing. Instead... the below is slightly amusing. In any case, as Thanksgiving was approaching, I realized that this is the first time I have celebrated Thanksgiving away from my family. It was a sobering and sad thought. I'm extremely grateful and thankful to have been blessed with my family and extended family, my friends, my mentors, my experiences, my life. And it needs to be said: I'm thankful to have all of you in my life. And I'm thankful for all your constant support and love. Anyways, what I wanted to say was that I hope everyone, especially all my loved ones (that means you!) will have an amazing, wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving. Hope you can share it with all your loved ones. P.S. If you are going Black Friday shopping, be safe! I looked at the ads, slim pickings this year, but the experience is always fun :) Happy Bargains!

As I'm currently in the middle of midterms (two midterm papers due in approx. 1.5 days), I don't really have an opportunity to sit and type, but just a minor update. Among my long list of things-to-do (which is still currently sitting in the draft section of my blog and is continually updated but yet to be posted), I've added the goal to be able to successfully sing(/rap...) one of Tablo's songs by the end of the semester. Epik High (the group of which Tablo is a rapper and leader of) was one of the first Korean artists that I was exposed to as a young 6th grader. It was love at first sound... I remember back in the days... Tablo is one of those completely talented, genius type folks that make me go "WOW". Anyways, I digress. He recently released his CD (pt 1, which I am buying asap along with part 2 probably) after a 2-year hiatus and it's just gorgeous. The meanings of the lyrics, the beat, the sounds... everything flows so beautifully. Especiall...

You know how you feel when you are conflicted and then you get advice and then u feel unconflicted and then something inspires you or changes your mind and you are confused all over again. Yeah... that's where I'm at again. I thought I was sure about not extending. But even with all my doubts and logic, I still want to extend. Logically, financially, for all the reasonable possible reasons, all signs point to me going home... but the semester is half over and I have barely explored Seoul, much less South Korea, and Asia. My heart wants to stay. The heart wants what it wants. But my brain tells me to go home. But but... I think about it... and when will I ever have the chance to be an undergrad student at Yonsei again? At the end of the day, which decision will I regret more? Going home or staying? Pah..... ___ In other news, updates about my recent activities.... I went on a space tour company the other day/yesterday... not that interesting... after a short nap, ...

Had a pretty amazing day today with Henry, Neha, and Hoai. We started out the day pretty early (10AM!) and ventured to the Filipino Market in Hyehwa. I finally found the coconut juice I was desperately craving but I was disappointed by the lack of variety in food. Oh wells, my empanada and duron was still pretty tasty. As we walked back to the subway, we learned that there was a street festival going on -- we got face-painted and with his ridiculous sniper skills, Henry won all of us prizes, huzzah! We listened to some live music, got free samples, and took pics of random peoples. Side note: Only in S. Korea would a university group be able to sell alcoholic beverages to fundraise. Lols. Two of my friends were sipping Tequila Sunrises at 12:00PM because of that, haha. After Hyehwa, we jumped back onto the subway and headed to Itaewon. Itaewon is supposed to be the foreigner's area of Seoul (in other words, the area where folks go to get their 'American fix'). It...

Haven't had the time to sit down and blog out my heart or post pics... But as I have just spent basically 3 or 4 hours pouring my heart out to my roommate... I'm feeling super... insane? Craving romance? LOL. Btw, I love her. Haha. I'm so grateful that she is my roommate <3 you Neha! Anyways... also wanted to stan my faves for a bit. BEAST and Infinite both released music videos yesterday and today (respectively) and yah... I just about died from both. :) so happppppppppy, so essitedddddd I gotta see this live :) I love me mah INFINITE And of course my precious BEAST. Gawd... these lyrics are soooooo much win. Sigh. It hits me right there, cuz I'm a romantic at heart. No English translations... but lemme tell you, they is sweeeeettttt. As a preview: here's some of the lyrics Even if I have the whole world, it won't work without you, ma girl You're the only one for me I like you the best You are the prettiest Wherever you pass, the charm overflows...

I was starting to forget: "Each moment -- travel teaches you -- is divine: each moment on the road, each moment at home. Cherish it." I need to cherish and appreciate each and every moment that I am here.  I haven't had the chance to upload with pictures yet, but I will soon. I had an exciting day today, even though I started pretty late.  My roommate and I were speaking about our wishlist, and honestly I've knocked off a lot in a short amount -I have visited Lotte World (an amusement park which is their Disneyland equivalent) -I have seen the light show at the Han River -I have had jajangmyun and McDonalds delivery There was some other stuff but I can't remember. Haha. I will update soon with my new wishlist :)

Extending from a semester to a year long program isn't some random thought that just recently occurred to me one day. This was a thought I had started contemplating a while ago, albeit too late in the semester for me to actually have prepared beforehand... but the past is a moot point. There's a lot of wouldas, couldas, and shouldas... but ultimately this is a question of what I CAN do NOW at this very moment. I've discussed this with my mom and at the very core of the argument, it really goes down to 2 things. 1) Money. But of course, it always comes down to money. 2) Graduating on time/ the commencement ceremony. If I extend into the year... I will have to stay an additional semester at UC Berkeley. An additional semester means no Cal Grants... which means approximately $5000-$6000 out of pocket/ loans that I will have to take out... given that the tuition doesn't skyrocket and given that Pell Grants don't disappear. Furthermore, there is the cost of my be...

gotta be honest, im only accessing internet so much right now cuz im bogarting the computer in the study lounge. loll. i wrote a journal entry that i was gonna post but i havent had time and im much too lazy to go get it. well... in all honesty? don't really know what im doing here in korea... hahahaha. goes to show you, lost kid in america is still a lost kid in s. korea. im kind of disappointed because i really wanted to volunteer at the hospital with sick children... turns out i can't cuz of a class conflict... but stilll. oh wells. instead, i signed up to volunteer at a childhood center. the only thing that kinda makes me er... is that im volunteering by myself in a designated time slot instead of with other students (it'd be nicer cuz then i could make a friend, lolll). but i like working with children, so yah... crossed fingers they are nice? okay, 10 minutes till class registration. i can do this. loll. what else to write about???? i fbed and emailed and i th...

Watched For Colored Girls (2010) in class today... What a beautifully touching, poetic film. Now I really want to read the book. Went to AsiaSF with my classmates after class.... Suchhhhhh an amazing, hilarious chill place. Kind of pricey but definitely an experience. The women are soooooo gorgeous. The owner was such a sweetheart and complimented me to boot: "You know she's going to be rich, is smart, and is a virgin." Lol! Can't wait till I can go again and to the club too. *** It's crazy how fast time flies. Summer session ends on Thursday... On Friday, I have a doctor's appointment and then I need to pick up my visa and then I'm off to Washington from the 13th till the 20th. Then I leave on the 22nd for Seoul. Yeeeeeeeee!!!!!! How do I feel? I'm not really sure, haha. I'm stressed, nervous, excited, worried, crazy? So far my to-do list: -Medicine (aka inhalers) and doctor's note on Friday -Visa pick up on Friday -31inch luggage -netboo...

I had a good day today, I would say.... except for one minor moment... but we'll get to that. Woke up early, went to Minor Hall, ordered my glasses, got a subway sandwich and some coffee. And then... I spilled my baggy of cereal (Trix to be exact) all over during lecture. My professor stopped lecturing and the entire class turned to stare at me... aishhhh, so embarrassing. But the day gradually got better. An okay lunch at King Dong, free ribs dinner plate at Ikea, and a free screening of Friends With Benefit (which was good, but not i-love-it-so-much-ill-pay-to-watch-it-good). Janice and I even left in time to catch the F. Wheee. An overall good day, one would say ____ And now for my daily mopey-dope. I was struck by the fact that I've lost passion. I wish I had something that I was determined and that set me on a path... some inspiration or something. Oh wells, life is a journey and I am but an explorer, constantly searching and searching. I even contemplated wr...

I come to you today, a changed woman. I had a revelation at work today -- finally had that "OMGAH, WTFFFF?!" moment while I looked at my calves. It's super disappointing and sad. But it's okay. My revelation has changed me. I shall be inspired and begin. Minimum 30 minute runs daily and reduce my food intake. Eat healthier. I will try try try. I wanna look good when I go to Korea goshdangit.

I guess all you need to be happy is perspective. Re-reading my last post, i sound like a super emur child, but i'm not really. loll. i'm just super emotional sometimes, haha. anyways, i had me a good time today. PsychoDonuts, Boiling Crab, and bowling. Even if I didn't get to try a donut, iz okay, I will save that adventure for next time :) on a side note, I feel like a giant. LOL. iz okay, note to self: stand for pics; wear makeup. lol. ummm, that's all for today :)

I shall start from the beginning again. Clean mind, clean slate. "To choose life is to choose to forgive.... Just shake that weight off and you'll be ready to fly." ~ The world keeps moving, even if I don't. So I can only push through and continue on. I just want to breathe. That weight that seems to press on my chest, only seems to get stronger overtime.

Oh young Xuemin, why is your voice so loud, When you talk, my ears ring for days. Your voice carries in the wings of the library, just as the stench of your gas did, that one winter night. If you can't handle my fart, you can't handle my heart, you told me as your smell overwhelmed... my senses, and my lungs burst... for fresh air. Truly, truly, I cannot handle your heart. I would rather, be able to breathe. In another life, I too, will be a gas monster like you. Only then, can we join as one.

Oh Janice, young child with almond eyes, why do you look like a nut, when you smile? Your round head and pale skin, I think you look like a fresh peanut. Your "mama hang" whine is fresh and refreshing But your smell is not. Why oh why, does Janice smile with almond eyes?

My midterm was a wake up call for me, and thank heavens cuz I really needed that kick to my head to get me back on track. So these are my goals to accomplish for this semester and year :) Short term goals: - Read for classes on time - Study for classes on time - Pay attention in class and absolutely no sleeping! - Working on papers and assignments on time Long term goals: - Start exercising more and be able to run a 5k with Ngoc :) - Start cooking more          -I'm super excited about this --> http://www.realthairecipes.com/recipes/garlic-and-pepper-chicken/ - Be happy :) - Save up money WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!